The crisis of suicide
I am a lover of anything creative that has to do with the arts- spoken word, paintings, music, theatre, plays and movies. I recently attended an art show. There were various works of art on display. But there was one painting in particular that caught my attention.
In this portrait sat a young man who appeared to be in deep thought. In the background of the painting were words such as isolation, desperation, fear, anger, pain, loneliness, sadness and others. These words spoke of emotions and feelings. As I stood there looking at the art, I begin to make the connection.
Someone once said a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is true this artist was obviously telling his story. It may have been his personal story or that of a close friend or relative. Nevertheless, he felt it important enough to tell the story. I caught the vision. But I couldn’t help but wonder what caused these feelings of isolation, fear, anger, pain, loneliness, desperation and sadness come about.
Of course I begin to think. Was it death? Did it involve a divorce? Were the feelings a result of a sudden illness? Did someone in the family lose their job? Was it gang-related? Were they father wounds? Did he or someone he know experience rejection and abandonment?
Whatever the reason, this likeness of the picture reflected a visual rendering of expression that many people could relate to. I am not suggesting that the painting was about the actual artist. Nor am I suggesting that the artist is considering suicide. My imagination allowed me to see a portrait that included words that illustrated someone who experienced a crisis.
One Saturday morning while enjoying the solitude of doing laundry and reading a book at the same time, here comes this idea to write on the topic of suicide. I didn’t’ quite understand it. So, I left it as being just a thought. But the very next day when I came across an online article about an upcoming movie that addressed suicide among young women I felt it was my assignment to write about the crisis of suicide.
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death among 15-19 year olds, behind accidents and cancer. It is a problem that affects people from all walks of life. According to Haden and Peterson (The Crisis Intervention Handbook), is has been reported that over 34,000 people kill themselves each year.
While many cases of suicide go unreported or are not detected, it is estimated that five million persons attempt suicide annually. Even though it is often very difficult to assess a person’s potential for self-destruction some people to show warning signs.
When someone we know kills himself, we are still left with feelings of guilt or grief. If there is any hope to prevent suicides we must address why people commit suicide. According to Dr. H. Norman Wright, author and counselor in (Crisis Counseling), ten percent of people who commit suicide do so for no apparent reason. Another twenty-five percent of suicide victims are mentally unstable. Forty percent kill themselves on an impulse after some upsetting experience. Twenty-five percent, after quiet consideration of the pros and cons, elect to die.
While these facts may be surprising to you truth is just like many unfortunate tragedies suicide is not a new issue. In fact, several suicides are even noted in the Bible: Abimelech, Judges 9:54, Samsom, Judges 16:28-31, King Saul 1 Samuel 31:1-6, and Judas Iscariot, Matthew 27:3-5.
In order for us to understand why people commit suicide we must first address relevant facts and dispel the myths. Dr. H. Norman Wright presents the following myths about this terrible plague called suicide:
Myth #1: Suicide and attempted suicide are in the same class of behavior.However, this is not true. Those who commit suicide want to die, (except for those persons who accidently kill themselves). Those who attempt suicide usually want to live and are crying out for help.
Myth #2: Suicide affects only a specific class of people. On the contrary, suicide affects all types of people from all walks of life. There are, however, some important distinctions. Suicide is more common among white males than black males. Overall, more males commit suicide than females. For example, girls age 15 are responsible for one suicide for 64 attempts. While boys of the same age have one suicide for 6 attempts, in other words, at age 15, boys are ten times more likely to commit suicide than girls. (Wright, p. 100). Studies have shown that males age 85 and older are at the highest risk for suicide (50 per 100,000). The risk for the general population is 12 per 100,000.
Myth #3: People who talk about suicide do not usually commit suicide. This too, is not true. Eighty percent of persons who have committed suicide have told someone of their intentions prior to the act. Therefore any threat or warning of suicide must be taken seriously.
Myth #4: Once a person is suicidal, he will always be suicidal. After treatment, many persons are no longer a threat to themselves.
Myth #5: Suicide is inherited.Suicide potential is not transmitted genetically. However, one’s family environment and examples may be influencing factors, these factors are called (learned behaviors).
Myth #6: Christians do not commit suicide. Again, this is not true. No one, be it Christians or nonbelievers is immune.
We must understand that anyone can be at risk for a suicidal attempt, and any warning signals must never be taken lightly. Warning signs may be the way in which that person is crying out for help. If you know someone who is severely depressed please know that feelings of hopelessness could lead to a suicidal attempt.
Depression is an illness that can be treated. But left untreated, it could also lead to an attempt. Symptoms of depression include feelings of hopelessness, despair, sadness and apathy a feeling of dread, gloom or loss of perspective and overall loss of self esteem. It also includes withdrawing from others, difficulty in handling feelings, especially anger and guilt or changes in physical activity such as eating, sleeping and sex.
If you feel that the threat of suicide if imminent you may want to consider taking this person to the hospital emergency room or getting a referral to an inpatient treatment facility. It is better to be safe than sorry, because it is never an easy thing to deal with once someone has committed suicide.
There are many people who have been left grieving and struggling with things left unresolved, as a result of suicide. Sometimes the survivors experience a great deal of guilt as they berate themselves for the action their loved one has taken. If treatment is necessary, you can still be supportive until the person returns to his or herself and the potential is no longer evident. If there is any chance that suicide is pending, seek help. While suicide is not the only way out, you have to get help so that it doesn’t have to become the only option.
For more information log onto www.totallyhealedcounseling.com
In this portrait sat a young man who appeared to be in deep thought. In the background of the painting were words such as isolation, desperation, fear, anger, pain, loneliness, sadness and others. These words spoke of emotions and feelings. As I stood there looking at the art, I begin to make the connection.
Someone once said a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is true this artist was obviously telling his story. It may have been his personal story or that of a close friend or relative. Nevertheless, he felt it important enough to tell the story. I caught the vision. But I couldn’t help but wonder what caused these feelings of isolation, fear, anger, pain, loneliness, desperation and sadness come about.
Of course I begin to think. Was it death? Did it involve a divorce? Were the feelings a result of a sudden illness? Did someone in the family lose their job? Was it gang-related? Were they father wounds? Did he or someone he know experience rejection and abandonment?
Whatever the reason, this likeness of the picture reflected a visual rendering of expression that many people could relate to. I am not suggesting that the painting was about the actual artist. Nor am I suggesting that the artist is considering suicide. My imagination allowed me to see a portrait that included words that illustrated someone who experienced a crisis.
One Saturday morning while enjoying the solitude of doing laundry and reading a book at the same time, here comes this idea to write on the topic of suicide. I didn’t’ quite understand it. So, I left it as being just a thought. But the very next day when I came across an online article about an upcoming movie that addressed suicide among young women I felt it was my assignment to write about the crisis of suicide.
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death among 15-19 year olds, behind accidents and cancer. It is a problem that affects people from all walks of life. According to Haden and Peterson (The Crisis Intervention Handbook), is has been reported that over 34,000 people kill themselves each year.
While many cases of suicide go unreported or are not detected, it is estimated that five million persons attempt suicide annually. Even though it is often very difficult to assess a person’s potential for self-destruction some people to show warning signs.
When someone we know kills himself, we are still left with feelings of guilt or grief. If there is any hope to prevent suicides we must address why people commit suicide. According to Dr. H. Norman Wright, author and counselor in (Crisis Counseling), ten percent of people who commit suicide do so for no apparent reason. Another twenty-five percent of suicide victims are mentally unstable. Forty percent kill themselves on an impulse after some upsetting experience. Twenty-five percent, after quiet consideration of the pros and cons, elect to die.
While these facts may be surprising to you truth is just like many unfortunate tragedies suicide is not a new issue. In fact, several suicides are even noted in the Bible: Abimelech, Judges 9:54, Samsom, Judges 16:28-31, King Saul 1 Samuel 31:1-6, and Judas Iscariot, Matthew 27:3-5.
In order for us to understand why people commit suicide we must first address relevant facts and dispel the myths. Dr. H. Norman Wright presents the following myths about this terrible plague called suicide:
Myth #1: Suicide and attempted suicide are in the same class of behavior.However, this is not true. Those who commit suicide want to die, (except for those persons who accidently kill themselves). Those who attempt suicide usually want to live and are crying out for help.
Myth #2: Suicide affects only a specific class of people. On the contrary, suicide affects all types of people from all walks of life. There are, however, some important distinctions. Suicide is more common among white males than black males. Overall, more males commit suicide than females. For example, girls age 15 are responsible for one suicide for 64 attempts. While boys of the same age have one suicide for 6 attempts, in other words, at age 15, boys are ten times more likely to commit suicide than girls. (Wright, p. 100). Studies have shown that males age 85 and older are at the highest risk for suicide (50 per 100,000). The risk for the general population is 12 per 100,000.
Myth #3: People who talk about suicide do not usually commit suicide. This too, is not true. Eighty percent of persons who have committed suicide have told someone of their intentions prior to the act. Therefore any threat or warning of suicide must be taken seriously.
Myth #4: Once a person is suicidal, he will always be suicidal. After treatment, many persons are no longer a threat to themselves.
Myth #5: Suicide is inherited.Suicide potential is not transmitted genetically. However, one’s family environment and examples may be influencing factors, these factors are called (learned behaviors).
Myth #6: Christians do not commit suicide. Again, this is not true. No one, be it Christians or nonbelievers is immune.
We must understand that anyone can be at risk for a suicidal attempt, and any warning signals must never be taken lightly. Warning signs may be the way in which that person is crying out for help. If you know someone who is severely depressed please know that feelings of hopelessness could lead to a suicidal attempt.
Depression is an illness that can be treated. But left untreated, it could also lead to an attempt. Symptoms of depression include feelings of hopelessness, despair, sadness and apathy a feeling of dread, gloom or loss of perspective and overall loss of self esteem. It also includes withdrawing from others, difficulty in handling feelings, especially anger and guilt or changes in physical activity such as eating, sleeping and sex.
If you feel that the threat of suicide if imminent you may want to consider taking this person to the hospital emergency room or getting a referral to an inpatient treatment facility. It is better to be safe than sorry, because it is never an easy thing to deal with once someone has committed suicide.
There are many people who have been left grieving and struggling with things left unresolved, as a result of suicide. Sometimes the survivors experience a great deal of guilt as they berate themselves for the action their loved one has taken. If treatment is necessary, you can still be supportive until the person returns to his or herself and the potential is no longer evident. If there is any chance that suicide is pending, seek help. While suicide is not the only way out, you have to get help so that it doesn’t have to become the only option.
For more information log onto www.totallyhealedcounseling.com
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